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<p>Freshwater scarcity increasingly restricts sustainable rice production in regions dependent on intensive irrigation. This two-season field study (Kharif 2022–2023) evaluates the comparative effects of dairy and sugar mill effluents on soil health, growth performance, and physiological responses of rice (<i>Oryza sativa L</i>.). Eleven treatments, including four dilutions of dairy effluent (25–100%), four dilutions of sugar mill effluent (25–100%), two insecticide controls (Fipronil 5SL and Quinalphos 25EC), and a freshwater control, were arranged in a Randomised Block Design with three field replicates each (n = 33 plots; 5 plants per plot, total sample size = 165 plants per observation stage).Comprehensive soil, effluent, and plant analyses were conducted using the American Public Health Association<b> (</b>APHA) protocols. Nutrient-rich dairy effluent showed moderate salinity, whereas sugar mill effluent exhibited higher alkalinity and ionic load. Moderate dilutions (25–50%) significantly enhanced soil organic matter (by 15–18%), available nitrogen (18–22%), and potassium (8–14%) without causing salinity buildup. Significant improvements in plant height, root growth, chlorophyll content, and yield attributes were observed under 50% dairy effluent. Higher concentrations (75–100%) of both effluents induced mild stress, reducing pigment stability and soil organic carbon. One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey HSD (p ≤ 0.05) confirmed statistically significant treatment effects on soil nutrients, growth traits, and physiological parameters. The findings demonstrate that optimally diluted industrial effluents can partially substitute freshwater irrigation, enhance nutrient recycling, and support sustainable rice production with minimal ecological risk, thereby advancing circular bioeconomy principles and SDGs 6 and 12.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p> <p>A field-based experimental study aimed at optimising the reuse of dairy and sugar mill effluents for sustainable rice cultivation while reducing freshwater dependency. The study was conducted during the Kharif season of 2022–2023 in Rampur Maniharan, Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India, a major rice-growing region influenced by nearby sugar and dairy industries. The novelty of the study lies in its comparative, dilution-based evaluation of treated industrial effluents (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) under real field conditions, integrating soil health, plant physiology, yield response, and statistical validation, an approach rarely assessed holistically for rice agroecosystems. The study followed a Randomised Block Design with 11 treatments, including a freshwater control. Treated dairy and sugar mill effluents were characterised using APHA standard protocols for physicochemical parameters and heavy metals. Soil properties were analysed before sowing, during crop growth, and after harvest, while rice growth, physiological traits, pigment stability, and yield attributes were monitored. Data were statistically validated using one-way ANOVA to ensure robustness. Key results show that moderate effluent dilutions (25–50%) significantly improved soil organic matter (up to 18%) and nitrogen availability (up to 22%), enhancing crop growth and productivity. Maximum rice yield was consistently observed at 50% dairy effluent, whereas higher concentrations showed diminishing or adverse effects, highlighting the importance of controlled dilution. The study demonstrates that optimised effluent reuse can safely replace a portion of freshwater use in irrigation, enhance soil fertility, and increase rice yields, supporting a circular bioeconomy model. The study demonstrates that appropriately diluted industrial effluents can serve as partial alternatives to freshwater irrigation, enhance nutrient recycling, and foster environmentally responsible rice production consistent with circular bio economy goals.</p>

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Dairy and Sugar Mill Effluents as Sustainable Irrigation for Rice: Impacts on Soil Nutrients, Growth and Yield

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月30日

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  • Monika Kumari,
  • Wiem Mezlini,
  • Harikesh Singh,
  • Sushil R. Kanel,
  • Mansour Almazroui,
  • Sangeeta Madan

摘要

Freshwater scarcity increasingly restricts sustainable rice production in regions dependent on intensive irrigation. This two-season field study (Kharif 2022–2023) evaluates the comparative effects of dairy and sugar mill effluents on soil health, growth performance, and physiological responses of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Eleven treatments, including four dilutions of dairy effluent (25–100%), four dilutions of sugar mill effluent (25–100%), two insecticide controls (Fipronil 5SL and Quinalphos 25EC), and a freshwater control, were arranged in a Randomised Block Design with three field replicates each (n = 33 plots; 5 plants per plot, total sample size = 165 plants per observation stage).Comprehensive soil, effluent, and plant analyses were conducted using the American Public Health Association (APHA) protocols. Nutrient-rich dairy effluent showed moderate salinity, whereas sugar mill effluent exhibited higher alkalinity and ionic load. Moderate dilutions (25–50%) significantly enhanced soil organic matter (by 15–18%), available nitrogen (18–22%), and potassium (8–14%) without causing salinity buildup. Significant improvements in plant height, root growth, chlorophyll content, and yield attributes were observed under 50% dairy effluent. Higher concentrations (75–100%) of both effluents induced mild stress, reducing pigment stability and soil organic carbon. One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey HSD (p ≤ 0.05) confirmed statistically significant treatment effects on soil nutrients, growth traits, and physiological parameters. The findings demonstrate that optimally diluted industrial effluents can partially substitute freshwater irrigation, enhance nutrient recycling, and support sustainable rice production with minimal ecological risk, thereby advancing circular bioeconomy principles and SDGs 6 and 12.

Graphical Abstract

A field-based experimental study aimed at optimising the reuse of dairy and sugar mill effluents for sustainable rice cultivation while reducing freshwater dependency. The study was conducted during the Kharif season of 2022–2023 in Rampur Maniharan, Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India, a major rice-growing region influenced by nearby sugar and dairy industries. The novelty of the study lies in its comparative, dilution-based evaluation of treated industrial effluents (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) under real field conditions, integrating soil health, plant physiology, yield response, and statistical validation, an approach rarely assessed holistically for rice agroecosystems. The study followed a Randomised Block Design with 11 treatments, including a freshwater control. Treated dairy and sugar mill effluents were characterised using APHA standard protocols for physicochemical parameters and heavy metals. Soil properties were analysed before sowing, during crop growth, and after harvest, while rice growth, physiological traits, pigment stability, and yield attributes were monitored. Data were statistically validated using one-way ANOVA to ensure robustness. Key results show that moderate effluent dilutions (25–50%) significantly improved soil organic matter (up to 18%) and nitrogen availability (up to 22%), enhancing crop growth and productivity. Maximum rice yield was consistently observed at 50% dairy effluent, whereas higher concentrations showed diminishing or adverse effects, highlighting the importance of controlled dilution. The study demonstrates that optimised effluent reuse can safely replace a portion of freshwater use in irrigation, enhance soil fertility, and increase rice yields, supporting a circular bioeconomy model. The study demonstrates that appropriately diluted industrial effluents can serve as partial alternatives to freshwater irrigation, enhance nutrient recycling, and foster environmentally responsible rice production consistent with circular bio economy goals.